Author: Amy Lathen
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GUEST COLUMN: Marriage should be a covenant between one man and one woman
Regardless of how one feels about gay marriage, the recent action by the Supreme Court should alarm every single, free American. Whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu or other religion, those who do not support gay marriage will soon be forced to comply with this federal mandate, despite personal religious beliefs. Indeed, there will no longer…
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GUEST COLUMN: Region must address stormwater responsibilities
Last week, an extraordinary thing happened in El Paso County. Citizens, working alongside their locally elected officials, local government staff members, business leaders, military representatives, nonprofit representatives and more, brought to fruition a collaborative proposal to tackle our region’s long-standing, complex flooding and stormwater management problem. This is no small accomplishment. Stormwater management is tricky.…
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GUEST COLUMN: City for Champions could move region out of economic stagnation
Although I believe that the entire City for Champions concept got off to a rough start in terms of dissemination of facts, figures and the basics, there is now an open, robust discussion about the project and all the details of how to make sure it is a long term benefit for our community. The…
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Commissioners support efforts to overturn gun laws
Which is worse? Legislation designed to eliminate security and freedom of law abiding citizens or a legislative process in which hundreds of citizens’ voices are deliberately suppressed? Can’t choose? Neither can I. Both choices are egregious and both were perpetrated during this year’s legislative session, which took place under the coercive and oppressive watch of…
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GUEST COLUMN: A fight for human liberty
We are living in one of the worst economic times in modern history. We have high unemployment, gas prices two and three times higher than when Barack Obama first took office, we have a recent, arguably impeachable scandal just before the election where Americans were left to die in Benghazi and our president continues to…
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GUEST COLUMN: Lessons learned from Portland trip
The Pikes Peak region is a vibrant, eclectic mix of business, educational excellence, outdoor activity and beauty. Most importantly within this region is our overwhelming sense of liberty. It is in our Western souls. We know what it means to blend our rugged individualism and values with the concerns and well being of the community.…
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GUEST COLUMN: Striking a balance between the law, oil and gas potential
Every day my phone lights up and emails roll in with comments on the oil and gas potential that exists within El Paso County today. The comments run the gamut from “ban all fracking” to “drill baby drill” and everything in between. It was about this time last year that the first constituent contacted me…
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GUEST COLUMN: County continues delicate balance of budget constraints and services
It is budget time in El Paso County (EPC), which means it’s time to sharpen our pencils and get the most out of our resources while providing the best possible services to the citizens who pay for them. Roads. Deputies. District attorneys. Courtrooms. Death and birth certificates. Autopsies. Motor vehicle. Elections. Property assessments. Surveyor and…
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GUEST COLUMN: Only TABOR stands in the way of a radical Constitutional rewrite
Crushing national debt. Out of control spending far beyond government’s defined role and scope. Entitlements far beyond the public’s ability to pay. What separates the State of Colorado from these devastating characteristics of the federal government and many other states in our union? TABOR — the Taxpayers Bill of Rights. There has been a lawsuit…
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GUEST COLUMN: City, county collaborate to improve efficiency
El Paso County is 2,158 square miles of diverse land blended into eight separate municipalities and many close-knit communities. It is now the most populous county in the state of Colorado, even surpassing Denver and is celebrating its 150th birthday this year. We are a county steeped in rich history and culture. Central in El…